New Orleans Man Indicted for Drug and Weapons Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on December 21, 2023, RAKHEEM KENNER, age 20, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a two-count indictment for drug and weapons violations.

In Count 1, KENNER is charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). If convicted, KENNER faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

In Count 2, KENNER is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). If convicted, KENNER faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, with the minimum being at least 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00. This sentence must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence. 

According to a federal complaint previously filed against KENNER, on November 27, 2023, investigators obtained a signed search warrant for a vehicle involved in a shooting incident. Investigators collected various narcotics and firearms inside the vehicle. It was determined that KENNER was the driver of the vehicle.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office.